Corn popping and dispensing apparatus



Feb. 3, 194s. E. E. zweck 2,435,318

CORNYPPPING AND DISPENSING APPARATUS Fild 0013. 31, 1944 10 Sheets-$1901.11

ZZ Zd' @E INVENTOR.

Feb. 3, 1948. -K E. E. zlDEcK 2,435,373

CORN POBPING AND DISPENSING APPARATUS l Filed oct. 51,. 1944 1o sheets-sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

Feb. 3, 1948. E. E. zlDEcK CORN POPPING AND DISPESING APPARATS med ou. si, 1944 1o sheets-smet a O ra/vero Feb. 3, 1948. E. E. zuaEcKr CORN POPPING AND DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 3l, 1944 n m c m M w d Q Y, m MA 99.5,. .u w

wf A Feb. 3, 1948. E. E. zmEcK CORN POPPING AND DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 31, 1944 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 Feb. 3, 1948. E. E. zmEcK CORN POPPING AND DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 31. 1944 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 Fd). 3, 1948. E, E, lZH'JECK 2,435,378

CORN POPPING lANI.) DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 31, 1944 10 Sheets-Sheet 7 Fcb. 3, 194s E. E. ZIDECK conn POPPING AND DISPENSING APPARATUS n Filed Dqt. 31, 1944 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 Feb. 3, 1948.., E. E. zlDEcK 2'435378 CORN POPPING AND DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 31, 1944 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 Zzdec IN V EN TOR.

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Feb. 3, 1948. E. E. zlDEcK 2,435,378.

CORN POPPING AND DISYPENS ING APPARATUS Filed Out. 31, 1944 10 Sheets-Sheet 10 g rp@ Q l J 1/ g5 S 99 g qSSSSSS/ 33 95 17916. S

l I l l l l l l l l l Patented Feb. V3, 1948 come rorPlNG AND msrENsmG v APPARATUS Ernest E.'Zideck, Detroit, Mich., assigner of onehali to Joseph Hagler, Ortonville, Mich.

Application October 3l, 1944, Serial No. 561,304

This invention relates to vending machines and is designed primarily as a machine for feeding measured quantities of popcorn into a heated popping compartment, subjecting the popped corn to a spray of liquid fat, such as butter or the like, and delivering a measured portion of the popped corn to the customer with any desired amount of salt, the foregoing operations all being controlled by the insertion of a check or coin.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of this character the various units of which are readily accessible for the purpose of cleaning, repairing and/or adjusting the parts.

A still further object is to utilize means by which excess hot fats supplied to the corn, can be drained into a suitable trap or collector having means joined thereto whereby this fat can be reused.

A still further object is to utilize a combined chilling and measuring unit which is complete in itself and is insulated so as to maintain the corn about to be measured, at a low vtemperature preparatory to being delivered into the popping chamber or compartment.

Another object is to provide new and novel means for keeping the measuring and chilling unit supplied with corn from a main container, this corn-supplying mechanism beingconnected to and operated by the corn-delivering mechanism so that as a portion of the corn is delivered to the popping compartment, a newly measured portion will be supplied to the measuring unit.

A further object is to provide an apparatus in which the heating chamber and its heating element serve to maintain at a high temperature fats contained within a compartment embracing the popping chamber or compartment so that the fats are thus constantly in a fluid state and hot preparatory to being sprayed into the popping compartment and onto the contents thereof.`

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims, it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention asclaimed.

In the accompanying drawingsl the preferred form of the invention has been shown.

In said drawings Figure 1 is a top plan view of the complete apparatus.

17 Claims. (Cl. 99 -238.4)

Figure 2 is a front elevation thereof.

Figure 3 is an elevation 'of one side of the apparatus.

Figure 4 is an elevation of the opposite side of the apparatus.

Figure 5 is a rear elevation.

Figure 6 is a view partly in elevation and partly in vertical section, the section being taken longitudinally of the popping chamber of the apparatus and through adjacent parts.

Figure 7 is a view partly in top plan view and partly in horizontalsection of the complete apparatus.

Figure 8 is an elevation of the corn chilling and measuring apparatus and adjacent parts.

Figure 9 is' an enlarged vertical transverse section through the fats holder, the popping chamber therein, and the heating chamber.

Figure 10 is an elevation of a. portion of the popcorn conveying mechanism, one of the paddles being shown by full lines in one position and by broken lines in another position.

Figure 11 is a side elevation of the switch mechanism.

Figure 12 is a section on line I 2|2, Fig. 11.

Figure 13 is a plan view of a portion of said mechanism, said view being indicated by the line I3--I3, in Fig. 12.

Figure 14 is a View similar to Fig. 13 but showing the operating mechanism shifted outI of normal position and locked.

Figure 15 is a transverse section showing the switch mechanism in normal position.

Figure 16 is a view similar to Fig. 15, showing the switch mechanism in shifted or locked position.

Figure 17 is a view showing partly in elevation and partly in section, the salt and paper bag dispensing mechanism.

Figure 18 is a. transverse section through the salt container and its holder and showing a portion of the container agitating mechanism.

Figure 19 is a top plan view of a portion of the salt container and its outlet spout.

Figure 20 is an enlarged vertical section through the salt-delivering mechanism,

Referring to the iigures by characters of reference, I designates a casing of any suitable design and material and this casing may be provided wherever `deemed necessary with movable doors and/orv panels 2 some of which can be of transparent material whereby portions of the interior of theY casing will be visible to persons standing adjacent thereto. Partitions 3 and l are provided in the casing adjacent to the re- 3 spective sides thereof and serve to supportA an elongated container 8 providing a popping chamber 8. The .front wall of the popping chamber can be vertically disposed' as indicated at 1 while extended upwardly from the back of the popping chamber is an upper rear wall 8 cooperating with the wall 1 to provide an upwardly extending throat 9 positioned lengthwise of the popping chamber and closed at its top preferably by a transparent panel I through which the interior of the popping chamber can be viewed.

The wall 8 and wall 1 are joined by integral side walls II so that said walls cooperate to deilne'` a box-like extension.

The popping chamber has 4a rounded closed end v I2 and an open end I3. The rounded end is seated in the partition 4 so as to be supported thereby while the open end of the popping chamber is seated in and supported by the partition 3. The popping chamber is inclined upwardly from the closed end I2 toward the open end I3 and the box-like extension formed on the popping chamber by the walls 1, 8 and II, does not extend the full length of the popping chamber. more, as shown in Fig. 9, this box-like extension does not extend the full width of the popping chamber from front to back. Instead.,I the back portion of the popping chamber bulges backwardly so that it can be embraced by the concave front wall I4 of a fats holder I8. 'I'his fats holder isV fitted -against wall 3 and the back portion of the popping chamber 8 and is also extended forwardly beneath the popping chamber. It has a filling opening I8 in the top thereof provided with a suitable closure I1 and a thermostat I3 is preferably suspended within the fats holder from the top thereof for controlling an electric circuit leading to a heating unit I8 removably located in a Furtherportion of the popping chamber 8 and indicatedat 38. Thus the level of fats within the housing 28 can be maintained at. any point desired.

A pump indicated generally at 31 is located above the lower portion of the popping chamber and the intake 33 of this pump is connected by a suction tube 38 with the outlet vof the fitting 3l whereby, when the pump is in operation, fats may be withdrawn from the fitting 3l after they have drained thereto and to the receptacle 30 by way of the tubes 32 and 33. The pump operates to suck excess fats into the inlet 33 and expel them through a tube 40 into the top portion of the fats holder I8. andthis pump also acts to withdraw hot fats from the holder I8 through a tube 4I and force them under pressure through a l tube 42 to a pocket 43 located beneath the lowermost'portion of the popping chamber 8. This pocket has one or more vents 44 opening therefrom into the popping chamber so that hot fats directed intothe pocket und r pressure by the pump. will be expelled forcibly into the chamber 8 and be sprayed over the contents thereof.

The popping chamber is provided in the upper portion of its closed end with a tubular inlet 48 which is extended upwardly to a spout 48 extending downwardly from the chilling and measuring unit of the apparatus. This unit is in the form-of a block of insulating material'indicated at 41. having a cavity 43 in the back portion of which is removably seated a. container 49 for holding dry ice or other suitable refrigerant.

pocket 23 formed within the lower portion of the fats holder. A

Adjacent to the upper end of the bottom-portion of the popping chamber there is a drain opening 2| in which is removably seated a strainer 22 which, as shown, can consist of a plate having transverse bars or slats 23 providing slots 24 between them.

A ange 28 is extended downwardly from the bottom of the container 8 and around the opening 2l and this flange serves to support a depending housing 28 detachably held thereto by bolts 21 or the like. The housing has its bottom inclined downwardly to an outlet 28 and removably supported within the housing is a screen drawer 23. The drawer is removable through the back as shown in Fig. 5. This drawer preferably is formed of perforated metal or of a screen and is designed to retain minute `particles of corn while permitting hot fats to' flow therethrough to the outlet 23. v

A supplemental fatscontainer 33 issupported within the casing I beneath the fats holder I8 and is so shaped as to drain toward a iltting 3l the outlet 23 by a tube 32. Another tube 33 connects fitting 3l to a pocket 34 formed beneath the lowermost portion of the container 8 and communicating with the popping chamber 8 through an opening 38. Thus fats within the popping chamber 8 are free to drainthrough the opening 38 into pocket 34 and thence through the tube 33 to the supplemental receptacle 33 where they will mix with fats withdrawn through tube 32 from the container or housing 28. It is to be understood that the tube 32 can be formed with-a beneath the block 41. ASprocket 83 is engaged by In the bottom of the cavity and in front of the container 48 is a removable tray 80 the top of which is formed of ascreen 8I.

A measuringr wheelV 82 is mounted for rotation in the upper portion of the cavity and has regularly spaced measuring pockets 83 adapted, when the wheel is rotated, to be brought successively into register with the upper portion of the spout 48. A portion of the wheel is closely embraced by the block 41 while the remainder thereof projects into the cavity so that, if the cavity is filled with/ corn to be popped. said corn can flow into the vpocket disposed in the cavity and be carried thereby tothe spout.

Wheel 82 is mounted on ashaft 84 rotatable therewith and Journaled in the partition 4. A

sprocket 88 is secured tothe shaft and is designed Vto receive motion through al, chain 88 from a sprocket 81 secured to and rotatable with another sprocket 88 Journaled within casing I an endless chain 83 which is extended over spaced sprockets and 8| and'thence downwardly under spaced sprockets 82 and 83.` This chain is provided with one or more laterally extended studs 84 each .of which carries a roller 88.

Sprocket 83 is secured to the shaft 88 of an electric motor 81 the operation'of which is controlled by the movement of chain 83 as hereinafter explained. l Sprocket 80 is secured to a shaft journaled in the partitions 3 and 4 and is located back of the popping chamber 8. This shaft is provided near one end with a screw or worm 89 which is in constant mesh with a worm wheel" secured to a shaft 1I. This latter shaft is extended transversely through Athe popping' cham-H, ber 8 adjacent to the closed end thereof and carries a sprocket 12 on which is mounted an endless chain 13. Another sprocket 14 is mounted on a shaft 18 extending dlametrically across thef popping chamber 8 near its open end and this gooseneck located in front of the lower rounded 1 sprocket 14 also supports the endless chain'13.

i 88 which is One or more paddles 18 are connected to the chain 13 as shown in detail in Figs. 10 and 17. Each paddle is substantially semicircular and has a slot 11 extended into the straight side thereof at the center and proportioned to receive the chain and the sprocket as the paddle moves with the chain. Ears 18 are located at the sides of the slot and are extended in vopposite directims therefrom. Each of these ears is attached to the pivot 18 and one end of a link of the chain and the pivots 80 of the next adjoining links of the' chain are extended through arcuate slots 8| formed in the ears. All of these pivots serve to hold the ears assembled with the chain but by providing the slots 8| it is possible for the pivots 80 to move longitudinally of the slots when the paddles are moving about the sprockets 12 and 1|. At that time each paddle will straddle the sprockets. It will be noted by referring to Fig. 17 that the paddle is cut away as atl 82 so as to be able to clear the shafts on which the sprockets are mounted. Each paddle is so proportioned that when the endless chain 13 moves in the v direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 6, the

` paddle will scrape along the bottom'oi' the popping chamber 8, thereby dragging popped corn along said bottom and over the grating or screen 22 so that it will be delivered from the open end of the popping chamber. If one paddle alone is used, the chain will operate to expel only that portiony of the popcorn located in advance of the paddle while moving upwardly. If two paddles are used, as shown in the drawings, they will be brought to active position successively so that the operation of a second portion can commence immediately -following the expulsion of the rst portion of the popped corn, as will be obvious.

The shaft 68 extends back of the popping chamber and is journaled in partition 3. The end of this shaft projects into the compartment 83 provided between partition 3 and the adjacent side of the casing I. 'I'his projecting portion of the shaft has two sprockets indicated at 84 and 85. The sprocket 85 transmits motion through a. chain 86 to a sprocket 81 on a short shaft 88.

Chain 86 is provided with a laterally extended stud 89 on which is mounted a roller VElli. This stud is adapted, once during each complete rotation of the chain 86 about its sprocket. to engage and actuate one tooth 9| of a Wheel 92 rotatably mounted on a stub shaft 93. A plurality of these teeth are utilized, the teeth being regularly spaced so that every time the stud 83 completes one cycle of movement, it will engage a tooth and rotate the wheel 92 one step. Rotatable with the wheel 92 is a tappet comprising a hub 94 from which radiate flngers 95. As this tappet isrotated with a step-by-stepmotion due to intermittent engagement of the roller 90 with teeth 9|, the lingers 95 are brought successively into position within an opening 98 in a support 91 extending from partition 3. A retaining strip or guard 38 is secured to the support and thus a space is provided between this guard 'and partition 3 in. which a receptacle 99, lholding salt, can be positioned loosely. The support is inclined downwardly and forwardly so that the receptacle 99 is likewise held in an inclined position. This receptacle has an outlet spout |00 at its lower end through which salt is adapted to flow and said spout opens into a downwardly extending chute |0| in the form of a tube the lower end of which discharges into a tubular receiver |02 flxedly secured to a portion of the frame l* Aof the casing and extending forwardly under a.

downwardly from the bottom of the hopper andk is located outside of the casing. Thisspout normally is closed by a tiltable valve |05 which is secured to and movable with a sleeve |08 rotatably mounted in opposed walls of the hopper and extending around one end of the tubular receiver |02. The sleeve |08 is held against longitudinal dlsplacemer by a knob |01 mounted on the forward end thereof and by a nut |08 mounted on the rear portion thereof. A series of apertures |08 are formed in the lower portion oi' the sleeve so as normally to discharge downwardly within the hopper |03.

A coiled spring ||0 is secured at one end to the back end portion of the tubular receiver |02. This spring is positioned longitudinally of said receiver and its forward end is soldered or otherwise joined, as at to the back end of a plunger I2. This plunger is slidably mounted in the sleeve |08 and in the knob |01 and projects forwardly beyond the knob where it has a knob or handle ||3. A lug I4 is extended from the plunger and is so located that it can be brought into engagement with a retaining lug ||5 located in the sleeve |08 as hereinafter explained.

The sprocket 85 heretofore referred to is engagedl by a chain I|8 which serves to transmit motion from shaft 88 to'a sprocket ||1 located in the lower portion of the casing below the level of a horizontal partition H8 on which a stack of paper sacks ||9 is supported. An outlet opening orvslot |20 is formed in front of the lowermost sack of the stack and a slot |2| is formed in partition ||8 beneath the sacks so as to receive wiping fingers |22 which rotate with the sprocket I1. Each wiping finger has a soft material, such as rubber, on the free end thereof as shown at |23 for contact lwith the lowermost sack so that once during each rotation of the sprocket ||1 in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 17, this wiping material will engage the lowermost sack and push the sack forwardly from under the stack so that the forward end of the sack will be slid through opening or slot |20 into a position where it can be reached conveniently by pump 31 by any suitable mechanism indicated generally at |23 in Fig. 5. The pump can be of any preferred type. either rotary or reciproeating, and its specic structure is of no consequence as it may be of any standard type. It is only necessary that the pump, when in motion, Aoperate to draw hot fats through tube 4| from the fats holder I5, expel the fats under pressure into the pocket 43 so that they will be sprayed through the opening Il onto the contents of the popping chamber, withdraw used fats from the containers 28 and 30 and the pocket 3l, by suctioili,s and return these used fats to the fats holder Operation of the motor 81 is controlled. by a double switch |24 located in the motor circuit.

This switch is normally open and, while it can l and, in (the structureillustrated. has a projecting endl. positioned in front of the casing I where it can be gripped and actuated by a customer. It is to be understood that the operation of this strip can be controlled by suitable coin or check mechanism not illustrated.

A rock shaft |3| is located close side of the strip |28 and is mounted in bearings |32. At one end of this shaft there is a tongue |33 so positioned that when the shaft is rocked in one direction, the tongue will engage and depress the button |26, holding it against movement. This tongue is engaged by one end Dortion of a spring |34 so shaped and located as to be contacted by the roller 65 once during each cycle of rotation of the .cycle of movement of the chain 59. A notch is formed in the strip |23 so that when said strip is in normal position, as in Fig. 13, the notch is removed from under a finger |36 extended laterally from one end of the rock shaft |3|. With the parts thus located, button |26 is held depressed because nger |35 is elevated and supported by strip |28 as in Fig.

15'. Consequently the current to the motor is shut off. When the slide |28 is pushed inwardly against the action of spring |29."the forward inclined end |21 thereof comes against button |25 and depresses it. While this button is being depressed, the notch |35 arrives beneath the finger |36 so that the outward shifting of button |26 by the depressing tongue |33 to rock shaft |3| and move the finger |35 into the no tch |35. Thus strip |23 is locked against return movement and at the same time current is directed to the motor and the parts of the apparatus are set in motion. After the chain 59 has travelled a distance sufficient to bring roller 65 into contact with spring |34, said spring is depressed, forcing `the tongue |33 against the button |26 so as to depress the button and cut off the current and at the same time lift the finger |36 out of notch |35 and release the strip |28 for return toits initial position.

The shaft 38 of sprocket 81 is a short one journaled in,/partiti on 3 and securedto one end of a coiled wire-|31 of stiff material which is eX- tended acrqss the bottomvportion of a container |38 located' in the-back portion of the top 'of the casing and holding' bulk corn to be popped. That end of the coiled wire remote from the shaft 88 extends into a feed tube |39 projecting through the partition 4 and opening into' the cavity 48"in block 41. This feed tube discharges into the ,cavity adjacent to the bottom thereof as showngin Fig. 8. Another tube |40, constitut- .ing an overflow, connects the upper portion of the cavity 48 to the upper portion of the bulk container |38. It is preferred to locate the con# tainer |38 Iback of a partition 4| of insulating material, shown in Fig. 7so that heat radiating from the fats holder and the popping chamber will not be transmitted to the bulk material in the container |38.

Those parts of the apparatus requiring insulation can be so provided, as will be obvious and wherever it is desired to expose any of the contents of the casing tothe view of customers, portions-of the casing walls can be made transparent or suitable doors or windowsv can be provided.

Hopper |03 is normally closed by the valve |05. The fats to be used are placed in'the fats'holder I5 and the container |38 is filled with Acorn to be to and at one' of button |25 will cause ment is constantly in circuit so as to be energized and maintain the fats in a. molten state.

When the machine is to be actuated, the projecting end of slide |28 is thrust inwardly. This actuation ofthe slide, as before stated, can be controlled by suitable check-control mechanism. When the slide is pushed inwardly it operates to throw and lock the switch as heretofore expiained so that the motor is set in motion. This results in the performance of several operations, and these operations will continue until the chain 59 has moved a predetermined distance to bring the roller 65 into contact with spring |34 and effect actuation of the switch to cut off the current to the motor. Whilethe chain 59 is in motion it drives the sprockets :60 and 51. Sprocket '51 transmits motion through chain 56 to the measuring wheel 52 which picks up a measure of corn which has been held in a chilled condition Within cavity'48 and conveys it to the chute 46 from which it gravitates through inlet 45 intol the pocket formed by the lower end portion I2 of the popping chamber 6. While this operation is taking place, the sprocket 60, through shaft 68 and the worm gearing 69-10, is actuating the conveyer chain 13 so as to cause the paddle or paddles thereof to move slowly up the inclined bottom ofthe popping chamber. This popping chamber has been maintained at a high temperature by the heating unit and the hot fats partly surrounding the popping chamber so that when the green or unpopped corn is delivered into the chamber 6, it will be contacted by the jets of hot determined time interval the measure of popped corn is delivered from the upper end of the popping chamber and dropped into hopper |03 whereit is retained by the closed valve |05.

During the movement of the paddle or paddles and the actuation of the measuring wheel, the

tappet fingers come against the bottom of the container 91 and lift it from its normal'position after which it is dropped onto its support. This action results in loosening the salt contained in the container so that a portion thereof will gravitate through the spout |00 into the chute |0| and be delivered into the receiver |02. Also during the foregoing operation, the wiping finger |22 is caused to make one-complete rotation in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 17 and this will cause the contact portion |23 thereof to engage the bottom of the lowermost paper sack ||9 and thrust said sack forwardly where it can easily be reached, as shown in Fig. 17. By now the switch has been actuated as before explained to cut off the current to the motor with the result that all of the mechanism stops. The customer withdraws .the partly ejected sack. opens it, and

causes each convolution of the spring toact as popped. Salt is placed in the container 99 and current to the motor is cut off. The heating elea conveyor of salt so that salt contained in the receiver |02 will be pulled forwardly into the sleeve |06 and as it is agitated by the spring moving into the sleeve, the salt will be delivered through the openings 09 onto the corn contained in the lled sack. If desired the plunger can be pulled back lopen end ci the popping chamber.

9 and given a partial rotation so as to cause the lug IM to move into position back oi' the lug H5 and thus be held open so as to afford ample opportunity for the salt to. escape. When this is done they form a geys'er-like jet or spray which envelops the green corn in the lowest end portion of the chamber. This corn is moved about by the force of the jets of hot fats and the continuous contact oi' the kernels with the hottest fats comingin at 34 will cause one kernel after another 'to pop. One kernel will pop immediately, other kernels will pop aftery prolonged contact with the hottest fats coming in, and the rest of the kernels will pop just before the paddle comes along and moves the popcorn toward the Itl is well known. that kernels of corn will not all pop at the same time and that is why the hottest fats are brought in continuously, contacting and mov.. ing the kernels while the cooling fats are draining back into the receptacle 30 and returned for reheating. Surplus fats carried upwardly by the popcorn will drain between the slats of the screen or grid 22 into the drawer 29 constitutinga strainer and as the bottom of this drawer "is formed of screen material, any particles of corn that may have been expelled through the slots 24, will be trapped in the drawer while the fats will drain past the screen and into the outlet portion of the casing or receiver 26. As before stated the fats in the pocket 34 which are drained thereto from the outlet 35 will drain to the receptacle 3| so that when the pump is set in motion and a `suction established, hot iats will be withdrawn not only from the outlet 28 but also from pocket 34 and receptacle 30 and thus returned to the hot fats holder l for reuse. The apparatus described, when fully charged, contains an ample supply of unpopped corn for filling a great number of bags and suiiicient fat is also held within the holder I5 to properly treat the corn when popped. It is desirable to chill the corn before it is delivered into the popping chamber because the popping operation is thus greatly expedited and it is for that reason that a dry ice container is located in the cavity from which the measuring. wheel removes the corn.

When the shaft 88 is rotated by the chain l8| and sprocket 81, the coiled wire |31 which is completely embedded in the bulk material in the corn container, will act as a resilient screw conveyerrand will feed the unpopped corn to and through the tube |39 until the cavity 48 is illled completely. Thereafter if additional corn is supplied to the cavity, it will return to the bulk container by way of the upper tube |40.

Any particles of corn which may sift from the material in the cavity 48 will drop through the screen 5| into the drawer or tray 50 which obviously can be removed whenever desired for the purpose of cleaning. The container for holding dry ice is also removable, a suitable door or doors being provided for this purpose wherever necessary.

It will be noted that this apparatus maintains s l0 corn ready to bepopped so that when the mechanism is setin motion by a customer, the operation of 'popping the corn and delivering it together with a bag and'seasoning salt, can all be effected properly and it becomes unnecessary to store within the apparatus a large quantity of popped corn likely to become stale or rancid.

While the present apparatus is designed prii marily for popping and dispensing corn it is to be understood that it can be employed effectively for heating, seasoning and dispensing other materials.

What is claimed is:

1. Popcorn dispensing apparatus including a popping chamber, a heating unit, a hatl fats holder positioned for transmitting heat from the heating unit to the popping chamber-.fa conveyer in the popping chamber, and means operating in timed relation with the conveyer for delivering unpopped corn into said chamber.

' 2. Popcorn dispensing apparatus including a popping chamber, a heating unit, a hot f ats holderpositioned for transmitting heat from the heating unit to the popping chamber. and means for directing hot fats from the holder under pressure into the popping chamber.

3. Popcorn dispensingv apparatus including a popping chamber, a heating unit, a hot fats' holder positioned for transmitting heat from the heating unit to the popping chamber, means for directing hot fats from the holder under pressure into the popping chamber, and means torreturning surplus hot fats to the holder.

4. Popcorn dispensing apparatus including a popping chamber, a heating unit, a hot fats holder positioned for transmitting heat from the heating unit to the popping chamber, a` conveyer` in the popping chamber. means operating in timed relation with the conveyer for delivering unpopped corn into said chamber, and means for delivering hot fats from the holder into the chamber. y

5. Popcorn dispensing apparatus, including a popping chamber, a heating unit, a hot fats holder positioned for transmitting heat from the heating unit to the popping chamber, a conveyer in the popping chamber, means operating in timed relation with the conveyer lfor delivering unpopped corn into said chamber, means for spraying hot tats under pressure into the `popping chamber, and means for returning excess fat from the popping chamber to the holder.

6. Popcorn dispensing apparatus including `a popping chamber, a heating unit, a measuring element, means for directing unpopped corn from the measuring element to thefpopping chamber, means for chilling the unpopped corn, a het fats holder positioned for transmitting heat from the heating element to the popping chamber, and means for delivering hot fats under pressure to the popping chamber.

7. Popcorn dispensing apparatus including a popping chamber closed, at its lower` end to provide a pocket and inclined from said pocket toits upper end, said @chamber having an outlet for popped corn at itsfupper end and a drain opening for fats adjacent to but below said outlet. an endless conveyor within the popping chamber, means corn from the open end of the popping chamber,

means for directing a jet of hot fats upwardly on hand at all times a quantity ot hot rats and against the contents of said pocket to agitato and pop the same, and means for heating the popping chamber.

8. Popcorn dispensing apparatus including Van inclined popping chamber closed at its lower end and open at its upper end, an endless conveyer within vthe popping chamber, means for delivering measured quantities of unpopped corninto the lower portion of the popping chamber, means for actuating the conveyer to deliver corn from the open end of the popping chamber, a hot fats holder embracing the popping chamber, and means for heating the hot fats holder to maintain the contents thereof in a liquid condition and transmit heat through the contents tothe popping chamber.

9. Popcorn dispensing apparatus including an inclined popping chamber closed at its lower end and open at its upper end, an endless conveyer within the popping chamber, means for delivering measuredquantities of unpopped corn into the lower portion of the popping chamber, means for actuating the conveyer to deliver corn from the open end of the popping chamber, a hot fats holder embracing the popping chamber, means for heating the hot fats holder to maintain the contents thereof in a liquid condition and transmit heat through the contents to the' popping chamber, and means for withdrawing hot fats vfrom the holder and delivering them under pressure into the popping chamber.

v10. A popcorn dispensing apparatus including an inclined popping chamber closed at its lower end and open at its upper end, said chamber having an inlet adjacent to its lower end and outlets adjacent to both ends, means-for directing unpopped corn into the popping chamber, a fat holder embracing the popping chamber, means for heating the contents of the fat holder, said holder and its contentsgconstituting means for transmitting heat from the heating means to the popping chamber, means forv withdrawing hot fats from the holder and delivering them under pressure through the inlet onto the contents of the popping chamber, and means for gatheringl excess fats. delivered through the outlets from the popping chamber, said fat forcing means including a means for returning the gathered fats to the hot fats holder. f

11. A popcorn dispensing apparatus including an inclined popping chamber closed at its lower end and open at its upper end, a hopper positioned to receive popped corn from the upper end of the popping chamber, a salt dispenser, means carried by the salt dispenser for normally closing the hopper, a bag dispenser,V a salt container, means for conveying popped corn withinthe popping chamber to the open end thereof and delivering it into the hopper, and `means operating in timed relation with the corn conveying means for delivering salt to the dispenser and delivering a bag, said salt dispenser being shiftable to open thehopper closure and deliver hot corn from the hopper.

12. Popcorn 4dispensing apparatus including an inclined popping chamber having an open upper end, a hopper for receiving material from said end, a heating element, a hot fats holder constituting means for transmitting heat from the heat,-

` ing element to the popping chamber, means for 12. delivery into the hopper, and a valve normally closing the hopper.

13. Popcorn dispensing apparatus including an inclined popping chamber having an open upper end, a hopper for receiving material from said end, a heating element, a hot tats holder constituting means for transmitting heat from the heating element to the popping chamber, means Afor directing imeasured quantities of unpopped corn into the' popping chamber, means for directing hot fats from the holder under pressure into the popping chamber, means for conveying popped corn to the open end of the popping chamber for delivery into the hopper, and a valve normally closing the hopper, said valve including a rotatable salty dispenser, and means operating in timed relation with the conveyer for directing salt into the dispenser.

14. Popcorn dispensing apparatus including a popping chamber having an inlet, means for heating the popping chamber, a container for holding unpopped corn, a structure having a cavs ity provided wlth a corn inlet and a. corn outlety in communication with said container, means for removing measured quantities of corn from the cavity and delivering it to the popping chamber, a coiled element rotatably mounted in the container and extending into the corn inlet of the cavity, and means for simultaneously actuating the measuring means and the said coiled element to remove unpopped corn from the cavity to the container and to deliver unpopped corn to the y cavity, respectively.

directing measured quantities of unpopped corn into the popping chamber, means for directing hot fats from the holder under pressure into the.

15. Popcorn dispensing apparatus including a popping chamber having an inlet, means for heating the popping chamber, a container for holding unpopped corn, a structurev having a cavity provi-ded with a corn inlet and a corn outlet in communication with said container, means forremoving measured quantities of cornv from the cavity and delivering it to the popping chamber,` a coiled element rotatably mountedin the container and extending into the corn'inlet of Vthe cavity, means for simultaneously actuating the measuring means and the said coiled element to remove unpopped corn from the cavity to the container and to deliver unpopped corn to the cavity, respectively, and a chilling element contained within the cavity,

16. Popcorn dispensing apparatus including a popping chamber having an inlet, said chamber being open at one end, means for heating the popping chamber, means in the popping chamber ,for conveying popped corn to the open end thereof, a rotatable .corn measuring element, a rotatable coil, a container housing the coil and constituting means for holding a supply of unpopped corn, a motor, and separate means actuated by the motor for rotating the coil to feed unpopped corn to the measuring element, for driving the measuring element, and for 'actuating the conveyer in the popping chamber.I 1

17. Popcorn' dispensing apparatus including a popping chamber having an inlet, said chamber being open at one end, means for heating the popping chamber, means 'in the popping chamber for conveying popped corn to theopen end thereof, a rotatable corn measuring element, a rotatable coil, a container housing the coil and constituting means for holding'a supply of unpopped corn, separate means for rotating the coil to feed-unpopped corn' to the measuring element, for driving the measuring element, and for actuating the conveyer inthe popping chamber, said means including an electric motor. a switch`l 13 controlled circuit leading to the motor, means for locking the switch of said circuit in closed position, and means actuated by the motor for unlocking and opening the switch.

ERNEST E. ZIDECK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the 111e of this patent:

Number 14 UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Bullis Jan. 5, 1915 Holcomb July 25, 1916 Mininberg Aug. 22, 1922 Priest June 1o, 1924 Hutchinson July 5, 1927 Tyler Feb. 15, 1938 Roach July 12, 1938 Case Oct. 8, 1940 

